Dodgers Sweep Reds, Advance to NLDS

The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 in the National League Wild Card Series, winning Game 1 10-5 and Game 2 8-4 to advance to the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Game 1 featured a five-homer outburst that included two home runs by Shohei Ohtani. Game 2 was paced by Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s nine-strikeout outing into the seventh and a 13-hit attack highlighted by Mookie Betts’ multiple doubles. Cincinnati repeatedly loaded the bases with no outs in Game 2 but failed to capitalize, drawing criticism of managerial and bullpen decisions after the elimination. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts preserved key arms in the clincher to keep relievers rested for the next round, while Reds manager Terry Francona praised his players’ effort but called for self-reflection. Ohtani will become the first MLB player to start at least one game as a pitcher and at least one as a non-pitcher in the same postseason.